Explain s/b, s/th, or Explain s/th to s/b?

Question

Hello, could you please help me with this problem? Which is right? Explain s/b, s/th, or explain s/th to s/b

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

You explain something to somebody.

CB

Saman ss · Answer

Would you please give me some examples of the verbs such as explain?

Ninaeliza · Answer

why dont you try to browse a dictionary..that would help you

Prissy · Answer

you explain something to somebody.

Anonymous · Answer

yes

CalifJim · Answer

saman ssExplain s/b, s/th, or explain s/th to s/b

'Explain somebody' is wrong.
'Explain somebody something' is wrong.
'Explain to somebody something' is awkward.
'Explain something' is good, and the most frequent.
'Explain something to somebody' is OK provided the 'something' part isn't too long.

When you ask someone to explain something to you, you do not need to add "to me".

Can you explain how this works? - Perfect.
Can you explain me how this works? - Wrong.
Can you explain to me how this works? - Awkward.
Can you explain how this works to me? - Very awkward.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

OPAREBEA   -   Please i want to know which of the sentences below is correct.   (1)  I hope my application would be considered and approved.  (2)   I hope my application will be considered and approved

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous (2) I hope my application will be considered and approved.

This is the correct one.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Anonymouswhich of the sentences below is correct. (1) I hope my application would be considered and approved. (2) I hope my application will be considered and approved

It depends on what you're trying to say.

The second one is a much more common statement. It's expressing hope about a future action. So if you turned in (or are about to turn in) an application and you're waiting to hear back, you might say it.

The first one is grammatical, but it's not commonly used. This is a subjunctive statement talking about something hypothetical. A slightly more common version of that sentence would be, "If I were to turn in an application, I hope it would be considered and approved." You're not talking about an application you have turned in or one that you're planning to turn in. Most native English speakers are pretty sloppy about the subjunctive, which is part of why it sounds odd.

Both sentences are correct. They just mean different things.

Anonymous · Answer

use the simple past or past perfect
I (see,never).................any of picasso's paintings before I ( visit) .........the art museum .

Explain s/b, s/th, or Explain s/th to s/b?

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